Improving services for people with low vision: an evaluation of the work of the Low Vision Services Committees

Andrew Gibson, Research Fellow, Institute of Health, University of

WarwickProfessor Gillian Hundt, Institute of

HealthDr Maria Stuttaford, University of St

Andrews

Growing awareness of the need for change in LV Services Fragmented services Difficult to access Wide disparity in the quality and

quantity of services Lack of information for those who

would benefit from these services Lack of multi-disciplinary and

multi-professional working

Origins of Low Vision Service Committees

‘Consensus Conference’ held in March 1998, chaired by Lord Jenkin

The Low Vision Services Consensus Group was set up

Reported in 1999. Set standards and suggested LV Committees to implement them

Origins of Low Vision Service Committees

National steering group set up Implementation Officer appointed in

September 2000 11 in 1999, now 73 (September

2005) Generally meet on a quarterly basis Average attendance of 10 people (of

whom 2 are service users)

Focus of the evaluation:

The role and activities of the LVSC in terms of the development of new services

The improvement of current services

The role of service users and the development of joint working

Focus of the evaluation:

Factors facilitating the functioning of LVSCs

Barriers and constraints Strengths and areas for

improvement

Evaluation design An analysis of policy documents and

minutes of meetings Group and individual interviews with

key stakeholders A questionnaire sent out to all LVSCs The selection of three regions – West

Midlands, London and the South West - to take part in a series of in-depth regional workshops

Findings

Structure and functioning of the commitees

Service user involvement Promoting multi-agency working Improving services

Structure and functioning of the committees

The main point of contact is via the Implementation Officer

Only 22% of committees circulate Bold View to their wider membership

Many committees lack clarity about their purpose

Structure and functioning of the committees

The setting up of a LVSCs website The twinning of LVSCs to facilitate

communication and the sharing of good practice

The holding of annual regional events or workshops to bring together members of different LVSCs to share experiences and exchange ideas.

Improving service user involvement (methods used) Ensuring that information is passed on

to service users in an accessible format (81%)

Developing links with local service user groups (78%)

Involving service users in the mapping of services (78%)

Involving service users in planning local services (68%)

Barriers to service user involvement

Service users do not know what they can expect from service providers

They often have low expectations of services

They lack the confidence to challenge service providers

The term “low vision” covers a very broad range of people and problems.

Improving service user involvement The development of a pack of information

to raise service users’ awareness and expectations of service provision

The development of an induction pack that provides guidance on the role of service users in LVSCs

The use of service user sub-groups that allow service users to debate and clarify issues before meeting with professionals in the main LVSC

Dealing with specialist needs Actively inviting people to join who have

an interest in a specific issue Having a key person to deal with

specific issues Creating a slot on the agenda to

address specific needs, for example children’s issues

Create a sub-group to deal with a specific issue

Promoting multi-agency working

A majority of committees are actively working with one or more of the following service providers:

Social Services (92%) PCTs (70%) Hospital Services (86%) The Voluntary Sector (70%) Education Services (51%)

Barriers to promoting multi-agency working

Conflicts between service users and service providers

Conflicts between different service providers

The important role of LVSC chairs

Improving multi-agency working Developing a network of LVSC chairs The development of a pack of

information which provides guidance on the role of chairs in LVSCs

Guidance on developing clearer reporting pathways to relevant organisations in an effort to raise the profile of the LVSC and improve communication

Improving services

Improving the dissemination of information about local services to the community (70%)

Developing links with optometrists based in primary care (65%)

Involvement in the National Eye Care Services Steering Group Pilot Projects

Barriers to improving services 76% of LVSCs report that accessing

funding has been the main difficulty they face in improving services

46% indicated that influencing the planning process is a major problem when attempting to improve services

41% reported that implementing a joint plan of action with service providers is another

Accessing funding

Producing a guide to sources of funding

Guidance on PCT funding procedures and local development plans

Guidance on developing multi-agency service proposals

Strengths of LVSCs The range of expertise brought together by the

committees The networking opportunities created The ability to jointly work with service users to plan

local services and meet local needs Raising the profile of low vision services generally

Challenges

Accessing funding Widening the base of service user

involvement Engaging key stakeholders

Conclusion

There is evidence that the LVSCs have made significant progress since their inception in 1999

However, a significant commitment from local and national statutory services is also needed if this progress is to be continued

Further information

Contact Mary BairstowLow Vision Services Implementation58-72 John Bright StBirminghamB1 1BN

Telephone 0121 665 4248/49mary.bairstow@rnib.org.uk